Phase II Study of Pembrolizumab and Nab-paclitaxel in HER-2 Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer (NCT02752685)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
This is a single-arm open-label multi-cohort Phase II study evaluating the safety/tolerability and clinical activity of the combination of nab-paclitaxel and the antibody against programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), pembrolizumab, in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER-2) negative metastatic breast cancer (n=50). There will be two cohorts of patients consisting of a triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cohort with 30 subjects and a hormone receptor (HR)-positive cohort with 20 subjects. There will be an initial safety run-in with 12 subjects from the TNBC and HR-positive cohort (\~ 6 patients from each cohort). If no unexpected toxicity is observed (as defined in the study protocol), then enrollment will continue to complete both cohorts (30 total TNBC, 20 total in HR positive cohort). The subjects from the run in safety part will be included in the Phase II analysis. Tumor expression of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is not required for enrollment in the study, but will be assessed as possible predictive marker.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (12 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (22 items).
Location: NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center — New York, New York
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Is currently participating and receiving study therapy or has participated in a study of an investigational agent and received study therapy or used an investigational device within 4 weeks of the first dose of treatment.
- Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving systemic steroid therapy or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to the first dose of trial treatment.
- Has a known history of active TB (Bacillus Tuberculosis).
- Hypersensitivity to pembrolizumab or any of its excipients
- Has had a prior anti-cancer monoclonal antibody (mAb) within 4 weeks prior to study Day 1 or who has not recovered (i.e., ≤ Grade 1 or at baseline) from adverse events due to agents administered more than 4 weeks earlier.
- Taxane therapy within the past 3 months (90 days) prior to study Day 1.
- Has had prior chemotherapy, targeted small molecule therapy, or radiation therapy within 2 weeks prior to study Day 1 or who has not recovered (i.e., ≤ Grade 1 or at baseline) from adverse events due to a previously administered agent.
- Note: Subjects with ≤ Grade 2 neuropathy are an exception to this criterion and may qualify for the study.
- Note: If subject received major surgery, they must have recovered adequately from the toxicity and/or complications from the intervention prior to starting therapy.
- Has a known additional malignancy that progressed or required treatment within the last five years. Exceptions include basal cell carcinoma of the skin or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin that has undergone potentially curative therapy or in situ cervical cancer.
- Has known active central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis. Subjects with previously treated brain metastases may participate provided they are stable (without evidence of progression by imaging for at least four weeks prior to the first dose of trial treatment and any neurologic symptoms have returned to baseline), have no evidence of new or enlarging brain metastases, and are not using steroids for at least 7 days prior to trial treatment. This exception does not include carcinomatous meningitis which is excluded regardless of clinical stability.
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center — New York, New York
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.